Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Mu Chang
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"Kicked out?"
Jeong Gunwi clearly had no idea that Namgung Myeong was staying right there in the inn behind him, nor that Hyeon-gong was part of Namgung Myeong's group.
Pretending he knew nothing of the circumstances, Hyeon-gong asked back.
Jeong Gunwi hemmed and hawed before replying.
"It's not a simple story... Could you promise not to tell anyone else?"
"Of course."
Hyeon-gong readily agreed. Interesting information was always better the more you had.
Of course, he had no intention of keeping that promise. Secret conversations had no witnesses.
"My daughter, Okryeong, was betrothed to Namgung Myeong, the eldest son of the Namgung Clan. But when Namgung Myeong was disowned by his clan, the marriage arrangement essentially fell through. Still, Okryeong clings to the lingering attachment of having been promised to the Namgung heir, and she refuses any new match. Even though the new one is exceptionally good."
Hyeon-gong nodded along appropriately, listening to the story.
"What does this marriage have to do with the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle?"
"The situation is a bit complicated... But the key point is this: my son, Jeong Taeryeong, needs to lose quickly in the martial tournament for Okryeong to go through with a new marriage. Things were going smoothly until this new weapon called the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle suddenly appeared and ruined all our plans."
Jeong Gunwi couldn't hide his sense of injustice even as he spoke.
Who could have foreseen the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle showing up?
"Even if the plans fall apart and your daughter ends up marrying Namgung Myeong, that wouldn't be so bad, would it? Families often take back disowned kin as a matter of course. If things work out, she could still connect with the Namgung Clan."
Jeong Gunwi responded to Hyeon-gong's question with a voice full of conviction.
"No. That's not going to happen. Clan head Namgung Jincheon isn't the soft type. Put kindly, he knows how to cut ties cleanly; put harshly, he's cold-blooded. If he cast someone out, it's over for good. Even his own son wouldn't be an exception."
Hyeon-gong pondered for a moment before offering the most sensible response he could.
"A family's background isn't everything in a marriage. Why not trust your daughter's judgment? Unless Namgung Myeong has some glaring flaw."
"Flaw? Namgung Myeong lacks maturity. I heard that's why he was disowned. It's common knowledge to everyone except my daughter."
Hyeon-gong thought Jeong Gunwi's assessment was remarkably generous. As far as he knew, immaturity was the smallest of Namgung Myeong's many flaws.
The fact that Jeong Gunwi cited immaturity as Namgung Myeong's sole shortcoming proved he didn't even know about the lost left arm. Just like Jeong Okryeong had been until recently.
What reaction would Jeong Gunwi have if he learned his daughter had already met Namgung Myeong and still hadn't given up, even after seeing the missing arm?
Hyeon-gong's mouth itched to spill it. But he clamped it shut desperately.
"There are plenty of men who mature late but still fulfill their roles. Is there really any need to break off the marriage?"
"Since it's come to this, we need to hold the wedding with the Jeongdo Merchant Guild as soon as possible to clear our debts... No, forget I said that."
Jeong Gunwi grabbed Hyeon-gong's hands.
"Young hero. Help my daughter marry into a proper family and save our Baewon Sect from collapse. I'll make it worth your while somehow."
The promise of reward came late, but Hyeon-gong wasn't swayed in the slightest.
From the circumstances, it didn't seem like any great reward was coming, and there was no guarantee it would even happen.
From time immemorial, the basis of a request was upfront payment. But Jeong Gunwi was talking post-payment.
So Hyeon-gong replied indifferently.
"Yes. I'll do my best."
"I'll trust in you, young hero. Now I need to go find more people to help. Who knows when those kids might show up..."
Jeong Gunwi didn't seem to fully believe Hyeon-gong would solve everything.
If he were foolish enough to think a few words to a complete stranger would overcome his troubles, he never would have become the leader of a mid-sized sect.
Hyeon-gong stood there motionless even after Jeong Gunwi vanished from sight.
Only when most of the people around the inn had dispersed did he casually slip back inside.
*
By the time Hyeon-gong entered the inn, brother and sister Jeong Taeryeong and Jeong Okryeong had already returned to their rooms. Meanwhile, Dang Mujin and his group were lounging around cold food.
Hyeon-gong sent Wang Jincheong, who had been sitting among Dang Mujin's group, back to her room.
"Come on. It's late. Time for bed."
Wang Jincheong obeyed without complaint and headed to her room.
With protectors around her now, she was far more well-behaved than most children.
Once Hyeon-gong sent Wang Jincheong away, energy sparked in the eyes of Dang Mujin's group.
They sensed some entertaining story was coming.
"What just happened outside..."
Hyeon-gong calmly relayed his conversation with Jeong Gunwi.
The group belatedly realized that Jeong Okryeong and the Baewon Sect's goals might not align.
The most surprising was Namgung Myeong's extremely calm reaction.
Even after learning that Baewon Sect leader Jeong Gunwi thoroughly undervalued him.
"Namgung Myeong. Why are you so calm?"
To Dang Mujin's question, Namgung Myeong replied in a level voice.
"Because back when I met Jeong Gunwi, I really was an immature punk. It's not strange at all for him to think that of me. It's only natural."
A statement premised on the fact that he had matured now.
It was a remark shockingly lacking in realism, but the other three exchanged only glances without pointing it out. People grew more forgiving as the night deepened.
Hong Geolgae asked Namgung Myeong.
"Anyway, what are we going to do? You don't plan to deliberately lose to Jeong Taeryeong for Jeong Gunwi and the Baewon Sect, do you?"
Namgung Myeong thought for a moment before speaking.
"Truthfully, the most thrilling option is set in stone. Make Jeong Taeryeong lose, then when his marriage to the Jeongdo Merchant Guild heir is nearly sealed, swoop in and snatch Jeong Okryeong."
In short, create an even more precarious situation than now and steal her away—that would be satisfying.
However, Namgung Myeong wasn't foolish enough to act on mere thrill.
He added a sensible comment.
"But realistically, we can't do that."
"What's this? A normal suggestion from you?"
Hong Geolgae, Dang Mujin, and Hyeon-gong all reacted similarly.
Namgung Myeong scowled, displeased by the response.
"I have common sense too. This isn't stealing an object—it's about marriage. Springing something like that out of nowhere wouldn't fly. Jeong Okryeong would be shocked, and ruining a fully decided marriage would trash my reputation too."
"Reputation?"
Hong Geolgae was stunned in a different way.
"You're talking about managing your reputation? You, who climbs over walls every night?"
"Wandering the night streets is my hobby. Honing my skills so that hobby doesn't get exposed—that's reputation management. I always manage my reputation."
Like his usual nonsense, it was blatantly absurd but not entirely illogical.
A thief who hadn't been caught yet had a better reputation than one exposed and punished.
Namgung Myeong tapped the table to draw attention and wrap up.
"No matter their family situation, we stick to the plan. Make Jeong Taeryeong the winner."
The group nodded.
*
Four days later, the next match took place.
Jeong Taeryeong's opponent was a swordsman who seemed decently skilled. His ability looked average, but there was one striking thing: he climbed onto the arena platform wearing fairly thick padded clothes.
"Wearing padded clothes in midsummer? Must be hot."
"Can that padded outfit block the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle?"
Dang Mujin replied confidently.
"Of course not. He'd need at least tanned leather armor for a chance."
The match soon began.
Jeong Taeryeong's opponent, sweating profusely from the heat, closed the distance fiercely, attacking relentlessly to deny any chance for the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle.
But Jeong Taeryeong calmly blocked every assault, and the moment a brief opening appeared, his hand went to his waist.
"Ooooooh—!"
The bored spectators suddenly heated up, cheering wildly. They hadn't come for the tournament—they'd come for the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle.
As if refusing to disappoint, Jeong Taeryeong drew the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle from his waist like lightning and fired twice at his opponent in a fluid motion rivaling a sword draw.
Click-click.
It couldn't have been blocked by padded clothes anyway, but Jeong Taeryeong's skilled aim targeted the gaps.
In the end, the opponent collapsed limply on the platform.
"It was real!"
"Did you see it? See? I told you!"
Some sought confirmation that the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle stories weren't bluster.
"Waaaaaah—!"
Most let out deafening roars that shook the eardrums.
Jeong Taeryeong, beaming with pride, spun the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle a few times before tucking it back at his waist.
Others—even the group—were still mulling over its power.
But Dang Mujin, who knew its might better than anyone, leisurely scanned the surroundings.
Amid the frenzied crowd and cheers, one man remained serene.
He wore a deeply pressed bamboo hat, but wisps of white beard peeked from beneath.
Clearly not young, yet his build was imposing, his back straight. His posture and bearing screamed warrior.
But the man was visible only briefly. The rioting crowd soon obscured him. Naturally, Dang Mujin's attention shifted away.
"Time to prepare to head back."
At Hyeon-gong's whisper, Hong Geolgae hoisted Wang Jincheong on his back, and Namgung Myeong took Jeong Okryeong.
"The winner is... Jeong Taeryeong of the Baewon Sect!"
As the announcer declared the victory, Jeong Taeryeong gave a brief fist salute, then unleashed his lightness skill with full power.
His destination: the inn. He had to get there before the spectators blocked the front.
Jeong Taeryeong dashed suddenly, shaking off the crowd. Soon, Dang Mujin's group caught up to him, and they all reached the inn without much delay.
Naturally, no one had arrived at the inn before Jeong Taeryeong and Dang Mujin's group.
"Phew. Nice and quiet."
Stretching, Dang Mujin pushed open the inn door.
A few steps inside, a powerful sense of wrongness hit him.
The inn was eerily quiet. As if empty.
Dang Mujin's gaze swept for the innkeeper and waiter.
He soon spotted them huddled in a kitchen corner. But whether dead or alive was unclear.
In the center of the inn sat one man.
Others might not recognize him, but Dang Mujin did.
The white beard and bamboo hat. The middle-aged elder from the crowd earlier.
He was polishing a sword laid on the table, covered with white cloth.
'He got here before us and subdued the innkeeper and waiter?'
Dang Mujin's group hesitated to act rashly. They couldn't gauge the opponent's skill.
He seemed like a tremendous master—or perhaps someone without any martial arts at all.
But Jeong Taeryeong's reaction differed from the group.
Lacking the skill to sense the elder's prowess, and armed with his miracle weapon, the Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle—which he could still use once more after twice in the tournament.
Just like in the arena, Jeong Taeryeong drew and fired at the opponent in one motion.
But the bamboo-hatted man's form blurred and vanished from sight. The ten needles struck the inn wall and fell pathetically.
'A master.'
A swift, stealthy movement skill. Faster than Hyeon-gong's Cloud Drift Step.
"No manners."
The elder muttered as he unleashed his movement skill again. In the next instant, he casually draped an arm over Jeong Taeryeong's shoulder.
"Is this the rude hand?"
With those words, the elder twisted Jeong Taeryeong's wrist.
Crack. The clear sound of bone breaking rang out.
"Jeong, the hero!"
Jeong Taeryeong's wrist bent in an unnatural direction.
Even those ignorant of medicine knew at a glance: he would never hold a sword again.
Jeong Taeryeong belatedly screamed in agony.
"Aaagh! Uwaaaagh!"
Dang Mujin's group swung their weapons at the elder in unison. Hastily swung, disorganized attacks.
Even accounting for that, the bamboo-hatted elder dodged with absurd ease—while still gripping Jeong Taeryeong's nape.
The elder slammed Jeong Taeryeong's face into the table and said,
"Hey. Who made you that Heavy Rain Pear Blossom Needle?"